The Justice Department and the State of Texas have reached a settlement that will “enable Texans with intellectual and other developmental disabilities to live in community settings rather than nursing facilities.”

State officials agreed to begin expanding “community alternatives to nursing facilities” for Texans with such disabilities. Both the feds and the state agreed to suspend their ongoing litigation and “work to negotiate a comprehensive settlement of all remaining issues in the case.” The state was sued in 2010.

The litigation involves claims that the state has not complied with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), other federal statutes and the Supreme Court’s landmark decision inOlmstead v. L.C. in ways leading to the needless institutionalization of people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities in nursing facilities.

Texas drivers can now order “Pink Camo” license plates for their vehicle to show their support for veterans.

The plates are available at www.myplates.com, the site for a company with a contract from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to sell specialty license plates.

Ten percent of the plate price is donated to Carry the Load, a nonprofit organization that helps people remember the significance of Memorial Day and honors sacrifices made by the military, law enforcement, firefighters and their families.

The FBI just put out this statement about a shooting involving someone being questioned about the Boston Marathon Bombing:

“The FBI is currently reviewing a shooting incident involving an FBI special agent. Based on preliminary information, the incident occurred in Orlando, Florida during the early morning hours of May 22, 2013. The agent, two Massachusetts State Police troopers, and other law enforcement personnel were interviewing an individual in connection with the Boston Marathon bombing investigation when a violent confrontation was initiated by the individual. During the confrontation, the individual was killed and the agent sustained non-life threatening injuries. As this incident is under review, we have no further details at this time.”

Several federal agencies are declaring May 24 “Don’t Fry Day” to help Americans avoid skin cancer. That’s right before folks head out for the Memorial Day weekend.

“While we’re making progress toward restoring the Earth’s ozone layer, Americans need to take steps now for extra protection from harmful UV rays and skin cancer,” Janet McCabe, deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, said in a statement Monday. “Americans can stay safe under the sun and enjoy the outdoors by taking simple steps such as using sunscreen and wearing UV-blocking sunglasses.”

Centers for Disease control director Tom Frieden said that one in five Americans will get skin cancer at some point in their lives if current trends continue. And many of those cancers could be prevented by reducing UV exposure from the sun and indoor tanning.

“Of particular concern is the increase we are seeing in rates of melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer,” Dr. Frieden said. “In the United States, melanoma is one of the most common cancers among people ages 15 to 29 years.”

The Food and Drug Administration has issued new labeling rules for sunscreen products to help consumers avoid UV exposure. Among those:

* Sunscreens proven to protect against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can be labeled “Broad Spectrum.” Both UVB and UVA radiation contribute to the sun’s damaging effects.

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Beaumont.

Texas is specifically “seeking civil penalties for every day of oil discharge and for every barrel of oil that was discharged; lost sales tax, state hotel occupancy tax and mixed beverage tax revenue; revenue lost from state park entrance, facility, activity and concession fees; and damages to natural resources, including wildlife and coastal ecosystems and habitats caused by the released oil and chemical dispersants,” according to a statement.

Texas also wants to be paid for attorneys’ fees, court costs and investigative costs.

The suit was filed on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas General Land Office and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The Texas Department of Insurance has some tips for folks who suffered property damage from the tornadoes that swept through North Texas late Wednesday:

Contact your insurance agent or company promptly. Keep a record of all contacts you have with your company. Be prepared to answer questions about the extent and severity of damage.

Make a list of your damaged property. Photograph or video the damage if possible. Refer to your policy to determine the amount of personal property coverage you have. Don’t throw away damaged items until your insurance adjuster has had a chance to view them.

Take steps to protect your home and property from further damage. If there is partial damage to your home, make only those repairs reasonably necessary to protect your home and property from further damage, such as covering broken windows and holes to keep rain out or to prevent vandalism or theft. Don’t make permanent repairs until instructed by your insurance company. Keep a record of your repair expenses and save all receipts.

Know if you have replacement cost or actual cash value coverage. Replacement cost is what you would pay to rebuild or repair your home, based on current construction costs. Actual cash value is the replacement cost of the dwelling minus a deduction for depreciation. Both replacement cost and actual cash value coverage may be subject to a deductible.

Refer to your policy to know what deductible you’ll be required to pay. Most homeowners policies have two deductibles: one for windstorm and hail losses, and one for all other losses.

Ask your agent about additional living expenses (ALE) or loss of use. ALE pays for some of the expenses you incur if you are unable to live in your home because of damage from something covered by your policy. Most policies pay up to 20 percent of your home’s insured value. Provide your insurance company with documentation regarding your expenses.

Try to be present when the insurance company’s adjuster inspects your damage. Be sure your address is visible. If damage forces you to move, and you have not already contacted or made other arrangements with your insurance company, leave a note or a plywood sign with your temporary address, phone number, and name of your insurance company.

Resolving your claim. Your insurance company must acknowledge that it has begun an investigation within 15 days of receiving your claim. The company may request additional information to settle your claim. Once it has that information, the company must accept or reject your claim within 15 business days or tell you why it needs more time. Once a settlement is reached, the company has five business days to mail you a check. If you do not receive your payment promptly, call your company or agent. Make sure your company has your address.

Be Aware of Fraud

* Work with reputable contractors. Ask for references and verify them.* Contact your Better Business Bureau or local chamber of commerce to get information about complaints before hiring a contractor.* Get more than one estimate for repairs. An estimate should be in writing and provide a summary of work to be done, time schedules, guarantees and payment schedules.* Insist on an itemized contract in writing and pay only as work is completed. Be cautious if you are asked to pay any money upfront; most reputable contractors will not require a deposit or down payment.* Write down the contractor’s driver’s license number and license plate number.* Never let a contractor interpret your insurance policy language.* Never sign a contract with blanks.* If you suspect price gouging, call the Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-337-3928.

The TDI’s Consumer Help Line number is 1-800-252-3439. It’s answered Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m to 5 p.m.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reports that senior citizens who suffered losses from the fertilizer plant explosion in West won’t lost Social Security benefits or pay more pay more taxes because they apply for disaster assistance.

Applying for assistance also does not affect eligibility for “income-based” programs such as Medicaid, Aid to Families with Dependent Children, supplemental nutrition assistance or other federal programs, according to FEMA.

“We want to reassure seniors not to be afraid to apply for assistance. FEMA assistance is available to all eligible survivors to include senior citizens,” FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes said in a statement. “Receiving disaster funds will not impact non-FEMA assistance or assistance from other programs.”

McLennan County senior citizens and others can register online with FEMA at www.disasterassistance.gov. Applicants may can call call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.Or, survivors can go to the Disaster Recovery Center at the POINTWEST Bank at 210 N. Roberts Rd in West. It’s open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Texans can now bolt on “Green Camo” license plates on their vehicles to show their support of military veterans.

The plates can be ordered at www.myplates.com, the site for a company with a contract from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to sell specialty license plates. The plates went on sale Wednesday.

Ten percent of the plate price will be donated to Carry the Load, a nonprofit organization that helps people remember the significance of Memorial Day and honors sacrifices made by the military, law enforcement, firefighters and their families.

“From helping veterans, to fighting cancer, to supporting your favorite university, it’s good that Texans have the opportunity to tailor their license plates to match their favorite cause,” Gov. Rick Perry said in a statement.

My Plates also plans to donate $10 of every license plate it sells on Memorial Day to Carry the Load.